April 28, 2011
By Jeremy S. Fallis, Penn State Athletic Communications
Through three-plus seasons at Penn State, senior Desi Giordano established herself as one of the softball program's deadliest hitters. The slugger out of West Caldwell, N.J. was always able to produce an important hit and was a capable third baseman that led the team on and off the field.
"Desi always allowed us to feel like we were in games," Head coach Robin Petrini remarked. "Because offensively she could put us in a game or give us a lead in a game. Having her on the field and having that staple at third base where you knew she was going to handle everything and having her bat in the order we always felt like we had a chance."
On opening day, Feb. 18 against Tulsa, Giordano blasted the team's first home run of the season. It would turn out to be Giordano's last home run in the blue and white as she suffered a season-ending ankle injury days later during practice at Penn State. Since then, PSU has been left trying to fill a very large void.
"Desi has the power to change the game with one swing," Petrini added. "And it's something that we've definitely missed this year because she would be such an offensive threat every time she stepped to the plate. Defensively, she was always solid and made heads up plays. She always knew where the runners were and where the ball should go and we've missed that on defense as well."
Though Giordano's presence has been lost on the field and during road trips in 2011, her time at Penn State is not forgotten. Giordano moved into a tie for fourth all time in the Nittany Lion record books for home runs with that blast in February.
Hitting home runs was quite the pastime for the gregarious infielder. In fact, her favorite moment in a Nittany Lion uniform was one such bomb two years ago against No. 12 Arizona, which became her favorite moment. Giordano's two-out, three-run homer came in the sixth inning, a four-run spurt that stretched a 5-4 lead into a five-run advantage.
"I would say beating Arizona my sophomore year," Giordano noted of her favorite collegiate softball memory. "I hit a big home run that game and I had a couple RBI and it was really exciting, it was very exhilarating. I definitely miss having that feeling of going after a good team and beating them, that's always fun."
Now back in Happy Valley, Giordano has time to look back at her Penn State career. State College is certainly different from the New York City suburb she grew up in, but Giordano managed it well as PSU prepared her for the next step.
"My time at Penn State has really opened up my horizons," Giordano said. "I'm a bit of a city girl and came to a country-ish university. Coming here I never expected what I would get out of it. I've had so many experiences and learned so much from it that I can't even explain."
While reflecting on Penn State, softball played such an important role in Giordano's college life. Missing the team, her fellow teammates and the chance to play at a new stadium is a natural feeling anyone would experience.
"I will remember the camaraderie of the team and especially even without me playing," said Gioradno. "The atmosphere of the stadium and getting to play in front of a crowd, and a bigger crowd, I'll miss that. I'll miss playing and hitting home runs and things like that. I'll miss the new friends I've made for the last four years."
Before she departs Penn State, Giordano will cheer her teammates on from the dugout and lend as much support and guidance as a veteran can. The senior third baseman is currently rehabbing her ankle back to strength and looking forward to the future. What that future has in store is a bit in the air.
"Hopefully having a job," Giordano joked. "I'm pretty open to moving and relocating. I'd like to go back home, but if I can't I'm not going to be picky."
Until then, there are at least four home games including Senior Day (May 14) vs. Northwestern when she will be at Beard Field, urging the Nittany Lions on to victory.
--NITTANY LIONS--